trillion

noun

tril·​lion ˈtri(l)-yən 

1

: a number equal to 1,000 times one billion see Table of Numbers

2

: an indeterminately large number

a trillion mosquitoes out tonight

trillion adjective

trillionth

ˈtri(l)-yən(t)th 

adjective or noun

Examples of trillion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If the United States were forced to pay back the trillions of dollars committed to us, America could go from strength to failure the moment such an incorrect decision took effect. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025

The federal law, which Trump signed on July 4, extends and expands tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the richest and adds trillions to the federal debt while imposing historic spending cuts to Medicaid, other patches of the social safety net and clean energy programs over the next decade. —Calmatters, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2025

The companies building these rails today are positioning themselves to collect fees on trillions in future transaction volume. —Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025

President Donald Trump’s executive order this week allowing private assets in 401(k) accounts could bring trillions more into the space, which will inevitably hurt returns. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from tri- + -illion (as in million)

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trillion

• billion
• million
• pillion
• castilian
• civilian
• cotillion
• pavilion
• postilion
• quadrillion
• reptilian
• vermilion
• vermillion

Kids Definition

trillion

noun

tril·​lion ˈtril-yən 

1

: a number equal to 1,000 times one billion see number

2

: a very large number

a trillion mosquitoes out tonight

trillion adjective

trillionth

-yən(t)th 

adjective

trillionth noun